The Cappuccino Diaries: A Taste of Paris Right Here in New York

When I think of last summer and my trip to Paris in July, there are three things I regret deeply:

1. I did not have the whirlwind French love affair that happens in nearly every novel on Pari. 
2. I did not climb the Eifel Tower. (Like most women who love heels, I avoid stairs like the plague.)
3. I did not order nearly enough cappuccinos. 

This last entry makes me the saddest. You see, drinking coffee is different in Europe. Here, in The States, the longest element in a coffee equation is waiting in line at Starbucks. Here, I stand for five minutes in a very chaotic line so I can drink my coffee while I walk to class. But for all of you who haven't been to Paris, I'll let you in on a secret: French cafes don't make to-go coffee. You actually have to sit down while you drink it.

Now, I wish I'd done more of that. There is no better way to start your morning than sitting down in a cafe with a book, sipping some of the world's finest espresso. But where in New York can you do that?

French Roast:
78 West 11th Street, New York, NY
Corner of 6th Ave. and 11th Street

A little taste of Paris, French Roast is one of my favorite spots. Why? Surprisingly, its not the good food, the great coffee, or the fun signs on the wall that keep me coming back. I love this place for one reason, and one reason alone: The staff don't mind if I spend all afternoon hunkered down with a cup of coffee and a good book.

At French Roast, reading with a cup of coffee couldn't be simpler. The one catch: The menu's a little pricy. Here, a cappuccino will cost about $5, and a sandwich about $10. But the atmosphere is warm, the music is catchy, and the food is rich and reminiscent of France. Even better, French Roast is open all night.

So if you're looking for a cozy cafe to escape to this weekend, French Roast is definitely worth the bill. Bring a book, bring a friend, and definitely bring a $20, and spend an hour getting lost between pages.

Live Uptown and don't want to make the trek all the way down to the West Village? No worries. Just bring your book to Broadway and West 85th Street and let the Uptown French Roast take it from there. Remember: Both cafes are open 24 hours, making both spots a great place to read day or night.


Photo courtesy of French Roast.